Jonathon Ross charged with murder in his sister's death

A woman found slain in a Richmond Hill condominium complex last weekend was the sister of her accused killer, who taught Grade 5 students at a local Catholic school, police revealed Friday.

The news comes as family and friends prepare to say goodbye to 38-year-old Jeannine Ross-Armstrong at a funeral in Thunder Bay next Tuesday.

“It’s just such a startling turn of events. It just beggars the imagination,” said Brent Rheault, who has known the victim and her family since she was a childhood friend of his own daughter. “The death of one of your children, [allegedly] at the hands of another of your children, is just incredible.”

Mr. Rheault described Ms. Ross-Armstrong as “always very bright and perky and smart,” sentiments echoed in a wave of condolences posted to a public message board.

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Though Ms. Ross-Armstrong lived in Thunder Bay, her lifeless body was found last Saturday around 2 a.m. in a Richmond Hill condominium complex on Yonge Street, north of Elgin Mills Road. Her younger brother — 36-year-old Jonathon Ross, who taught Grade 5 at Corpus Christi CES in Richmond Hill — was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree murder.

York Regional Police Const. Blair McQuillan said officers rushed to the apartment after receiving an “unknown trouble call.” They found Ms. Ross-Armstrong dead at the scene, with serious blunt-force trauma injuries.

A Newmarket court initially placed a publication ban over the victim’s name — apparently to give time to verify her identity — but lifted it Friday, allowing police to publicly cite the link between victim and alleged killer.

“It’s a very unusual, very sad situation, and very unusual circumstances,” said defence lawyer Bill Reid, who would not comment on how his client intended to plead. Mr. Ross is scheduled to return to court next month.

In an online obituary, Ms. Ross-Armstrong’s family cited “deep sorrow and tremendous sadness” at the loss of a woman who loved travelling, shopping and crafting rock garden sculptures. One of her favourite pastimes was sitting by the fire with her husband, Robin Armstrong, the family said.

“Jeannine had a zest for life that was unmatched, and always made a special connection with everyone she met,” the family noted. “Jeannine was a bright light in so many people’s lives and had a beautiful spirit that touched everyone.”

Before marrying Mr. Armstrong, the victim reportedly planned to move in with a New Zealand telecommunications technician, but their plans were cut short by tragedy when the young man died in a helicopter crash.

In a 2011 local news article about a home and garden show, Ms. Ross-Armstrong, who ran a business called LCR Estates, discussed some of her recent creations — bird sculptures made from amethyst and moose antlers.

“People love them, especially tourists,” she said in the article on tbnewswatch.com. “They’re unique to Thunder Bay. The garden art is really popular because the trend is going back to natural products… No two are exactly alike.”

A woman who answered the phone at LCR Estates Friday declined to comment.